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Iran has closed the Turkish Airlines office in Tehran after local female employees defied the country's mandatory headscarf requirements. This move follows a 'first warning' issued by police, which reportedly led to confrontations with the staff. The office closure is temporary, and it will be allowed to reopen.
The hijab became compulsory for all women in Iran in 1983, following the Iranian Revolution. Violations of this law can result in imprisonment and fines. National protests against the mandatory hijab have occurred periodically, notably gaining momentum after the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. Amini died under suspicious circumstances while in custody for not wearing a hijab, with eyewitnesses alleging she was beaten to death, while police claimed she had a heart attack.
Masih Alinejad tweeted on September 17, 2022: "Women of Iran-Saghez removed their headscarves in protest against the murder of Mahsa Amini 22 Yr old woman by hijab police and chanting: death to dictator! Removing hijab is a punishable crime in Iran. We call on women and men around the world to show solidarity."
